Devices labeled with the term “pro” come with a lot of expectations. The idea of a pro user is well defined in the desktop and laptop computing space. But, pro mobile devices (such as phones and tablets) are less well defined. This is problematic because devices that support the pro moniker cannot separate themselves from consumer grade options except in price - making the term a meaningless standard. Unlike their PC counterparts, they mobile devices are held back by the limitations of their respective app software and operating systems.

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With the introduction of iPadOS, the iPad is now a viable productivity machine. But, its approach to multitasking and gesture controls are starkly different from the Mac. In this article I examine two things. iPadOS has been characterized as considerably more complicated than previous iPad versions of iOS. I compared iOS 12 and iPadOS to see how much gesture complexity has been added to the iPad platform. I also broadly compare the iPad and Mac’s multitasking gestures, number of keyboard shortcuts, and overall approach to app windowing to answer the following question. Is the iPad (and iPadOS) a capable productivity platform when compared to traditional desktop operating systems (OS), or is it simply a different take on how work should be done?

Devices labeled with the term “pro” come with a lot of expectations. The idea of a pro user is well defined in the desktop and laptop computing space. But, pro mobile devices (such as phones and tablets) are less well defined. This is problematic because devices that support the pro moniker cannot separate themselves from consumer grade options except in price - making the term a meaningless standard. Unlike their PC counterparts, they mobile devices are held back by the limitations of their respective app software and operating systems.

Kellen, from Droid Life, writes the following about the state of Google’s Wear OS smartwatch platform.

Wear OS is one of those initiatives from Google that has never failed to disappoint, yet it continues to stay alive through minor updates and name changes.

Sadly, Kellen’s summary of Wear OS’ state is accurate. The platform had so much promise when it was initially released, and some publications - such as Ars Technica - applauded the platform’s notification management system. Like many Google products, users are probably waiting for the company to pull the plug on this project anytime.

Jason Snell (and his co-hosts on the Accidental Tech Podcast) suggests prioritizing a hierarchy of needs when wishing for features in the next generation Mac laptops. How does modularity negatively affect the laptop industry and favor tablets/phones?

Watching tech companies mismanage their customers’ data and violating their privacy has been a horrifying experience. The debacle between Apple, Facebook, and Google is just the most recent example of data mismanagement. This year, I decided to secure (most) of my privacy online, and I thought I’d share what I did.

The debate among technology pundits about the tablet’s ability to serve as a productivity device is fierce. Apple’s iPad marketing “What is a computer?” has further fanned the flames, as the company is intentionally positioning the iPad Pro as a laptop replacement.

To me there is a more interesting question. Should the iPad forging a new road for what computing could be, or is it following a well-trodden road that will recreate what we already have?

We are rapidly moving toward a future where users will no longer have any control over the software they purchase. No physical copies and no digital backups. This article is about the shift from physical / Internet distribution to App Store-only distribution and the implications this has for users.